site.btaPM Dimitar Glavchev: Schengen Decision Expected December 12, Progress Acknowledged

The steps toward Schengen accession were clear from the start, and the final decision will be made on December 12, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told journalists during his visit to the Kulata border checkpoint on Friday.

Glavchev addressed the topic of the Budapest meeting of the interior ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, and Hungary.

"So far, everything is going as planned. At the meeting of the interior ministers, Bulgaria and Romania's progress in tackling illegal migration was acknowledged. However, it's important to note that these efforts involve the entire European Union, not just Bulgaria and Romania," Glavchev added.

Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary will collaborate to uphold the migration flow model's integrity after border controls are lifted, Glavchev said. He also noted that advanced video surveillance systems will be installed at the border to further improve security.

Earlier on Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the positive outcome of informal discussions in Budapest on Friday, following the meeting of the interior ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, and Hungary.

“Bulgaria and Romania belong fully to the Schengen area. Removing internal controls at land borders is the last hurdle. The EU Council formal decision is next. Let 2025 see Schengen become stronger,” Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X.

Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter said there is a chance of Romania and Bulgaria fully joining Schengen from January 1, 2025.